Walking around Naruko Onsen! Experience the atmosphere of a hot spring town while enjoying food and culture

• Table of Contents
• Food, history and culture of Naruko Onsen
• If you go to Naruko Onsen, you must try the classic souvenir, "chestnut dumplings"!
• What is Naruko Kokeshi, the traditional craft of Naruko Onsen?
• Hotel WAMARE Onikobe: Feel like you're in a villa in Naruko Onsen
• summary

Food, history and culture of Naruko Onsen

The food and culture that have been created over the long history of Naruko Onsen give a glimpse into the unique climate of Naruko Onsen. But what exactly is this unique climate that Naruko Onsen has?

Here we will introduce the unique environment of Naruko Onsen from the perspectives of history, food, and culture.

The history of Naruko Onsen | A famous hot spring visited by many warlords and famous people

Naruko Onsen is said to have begun over 1,100 years ago, in 837 A.D. Looking into the national history "Shoku Nihon Kōki," events from that time are recorded in the form of "thunderous vibrations" and "flowing hot springs."

It is said that in the Kamakura period, Yoshitsune, who was pursued by Minamoto no Yoritomo and headed for Hiraizumi, stopped off here on the way. In the early Edo period, "Naruko no Yu" was also mentioned in Matsuo Basho's "Oku no Hosomichi."

During the Sendai domain's rule, the domain's palace baths were established here, and with the boom in hot spring therapy among the common people, the area seems to have become very lively.

Food at Naruko Onsen | A full range of gourmet food unique to the rice-producing Tohoku region and hot spring areas

At Naruko Onsen, you can enjoy a variety of local delicacies, such as chestnut dumplings and shiso rolls. Many of the traditional foods have been passed down since ancient times, and are highly rated not only by Japanese tourists but also by tourists from all over the world.

The rice and local sake produced in the Naruko Onsen area are also delicious. If you want to fully enjoy the hot spring town, you can also enjoy Naruko gourmet food with a glass of local sake or beer in hand.

Culture of Naruko Onsen | Tasteful traditional crafts that make use of wood

Naruko Onsen is also known as a town of traditional crafts. The most famous craft in Naruko is the "Naruko Kokeshi". Naruko Kokeshi is one of the traditional Miyagi Kokeshi dolls and has been designated as a "traditional craft" by the country.

Naruko lacquerware is also a traditional craft recognized by the government. With its simple yet elegant shine, Naruko lacquerware is very popular as a souvenir, along with Naruko Kokeshi dolls. Traditional woodwork such as drums and Usuki pestles, as well as crafts that make use of artisanal skills, such as tops and flutes, also add color to the hot spring town.

If you go to Naruko Onsen, you must try the classic souvenir, "chestnut dumplings"!

The classic souvenir from Naruko Onsen is undoubtedly the chestnut dumplings. The combination of rice cakes stuffed with large chestnuts and sweet mitarashi bean paste with a soy sauce flavor is a simple yet delicious treat that melts in your mouth.

The main stores where you can purchase it are as follows.

● Mochidokoro Fukase

● Souvenir shop "Narumi"

● Narukokyo Rest House

● Maruyoshi

● Maruzen

There are also souvenir shops, hotels, and inns that sell these products that are not introduced here.

Introducing the delicacies of Naruko! There are many other delicacies besides chestnut dumplings

Naruko Onsen has many other delicacies besides chestnut dumplings. Here we will introduce the top 5 delicacies.

● Shiso roll

It is a local dish made by wrapping miso seasoned with sugar, walnuts, shichimi pepper, sesame seeds, etc. in shiso leaves. It is eaten in a wide variety of situations, such as as a snack, as an accompaniment to alcohol, or as a side dish in a bento.

Radium eggs

These hot spring eggs are made in the Naruko hot spring water. The yolk is boiled a little harder, giving it a very strong flavor, and can be enjoyed as is, or as a topping for ramen or salad.

●Walnut tofu

This tofu is made from soybeans called "Kurumi-mame" grown in Naruko. It is characterized by its elegant, gentle sweetness and simple taste. "Naruko Goten Yudofu," which is boiled in hot spring water, has been a hot topic in recent years.

●Naruko Yubeshi

This is a Japanese sweet made with rice cakes unique to the Tohoku region called "Yubeshi." The soy sauce flavored Yubeshi is wrapped around walnut paste. It is perfect as a snack or with tea, and is also popular as a souvenir.

●Blueberry jam

Naruko Onsen is an area where blueberries are widely cultivated. There are many blueberry farms within the town, and you can enjoy picking blueberries in the summer.

What is Naruko Kokeshi, the traditional craft of Naruko Onsen?

Next, we will introduce the characteristics of Naruko Kokeshi dolls, a representative craft of Naruko Onsen, and the painting experience in two parts.

● Characteristics of Naruko Kokeshi

● "Sakurai Kokeshi" workshop where you can experience painting Naruko Kokeshi dolls

If you are interested in Naruko Kokeshi dolls, please refer to this article.

Characteristics of Naruko Kokeshi

The main characteristics of Naruko Kokeshi are as follows:

● Fair skin and a gentle expression

● Thick body for stability

● The neck is a snap-on type that makes a sound when turned.

● Chrysanthemum pattern on the body

Naruko Onsen is a town famous for its kokeshi dolls. As you walk through the town, you will encounter kokeshi dolls of all sizes, including kokeshi objects, postboxes, and telephone booths. Every autumn, the National Kokeshi Festival is held in Naruko Onsen, and the town is filled with kokeshi dolls.

Sakurai Kokeshi: A workshop where you can experience painting Naruko Kokeshi dolls

"Sakurai Kokeshi" is a traditional Kokeshi workshop that has been around since the late Edo period. In addition to standard Kokeshi dolls, the Sakurai Kokeshi workshop also produces Kokeshi dolls called "Hina" and "creative Kokeshi" dolls that incorporate a modern sensibility. The craftsmen work day and night researching ways to incorporate new ideas while preserving tradition.

At Sakurai Kokeshi, you can experience painting a kokeshi doll. The experience program includes authentic content such as "actually painting a kokeshi doll with a brush" and "selecting a wooden base and turning a potter's wheel." Sakurai Kokeshi is easily accessible, just a 3-minute walk from Naruko Onsen Station, so it's easy to fit into your schedule.

Reservations are required for the painting experience, and there are irregular closing days, so if you plan to visit, be sure to check the official website in advance.

Hotel WAMARE Onikobe: Feel like you're in a villa in Naruko Onsen

"Hotel WAMARE Onikobe" is a rental inn with a modern Japanese design. The spacious kitchen is equipped with a large refrigerator and a system kitchen, so you can cook just like you would at home.

There are two types of baths available: a unit bath and a cypress bath, so you can choose the one you like best based on ease of use and style. For sleeping, you can choose from five Japanese-style rooms with different designs.

If you are looking for a relaxing and extraordinary space like a villa, why not consider staying at Hotel WAMARE Onikobe?

summary

Naruko Onsen has a lot of traditional culture born from the climate that has been cultivated over a long history. After enjoying the food and culture on a stroll around Naruko Onsen, it's a good idea to relax in the hot springs and spend some time relaxing at a tranquil inn.

You're sure to be able to feel the simple, relaxing atmosphere of a hot spring town.